Faith Hill On Love, Children, Career and “Being Normal” (1996)

Country Weekly Staff | Published: Jan 11, 2011

Originally published in the Aug. 27, 1996 issue of Country Weekly featuring Billy Ray Cyrus on the cover. This story is presented here in its entirety.

It’s not time to choose yet, but when she does, Faith Hill will put children over career. The 29-year-old Mississippian expresses a strong desire to have children some day and is prepared to do whatever it takes to make it all work.

“If I had to leave the road for my family because my kids weren’t dealing with me being gone, or whatever, I would just have to do that,’’ said Faith. “Children are miracles and the good Lord, if He chooses to give me children, and hopefully he will someday, then it’s my responsibility to make sure they’ve got the proper upbringing. I need to do the best I can to send them on their way.”

“Obviously, I’ve never done it before,’’ said Faith, who is single. But “having a balance is not only crucial but imperative. Having your feet planted on the ground, knowing who you are, knowing what your priorities are. My priority would be my family, most definitely, before my career.’’

She won’t put any limits on the type of person she might marry. “I won’t say what I won’t have and what I will have. You don’t put any limitations on love. When you fall in love with somebody, it doesn’t matter, you know?’’

The child of supportive parents in Star, Miss., Faith said she’s not letting her quick-rising career change her outlook on life. “My mom has always, always taught me to keep my feet on the ground in whatever I did. The things when I was in school, things that I won, or talent shows or whatever, to her it was most important that I kept my head screwed on straight. “Obviously, I’ve matured, which is a natural progression, yet I haven’t changed completely. I go out of my way to make sure people know that, yes, my life has changed, but as a person, on the inside, I am still the same Faith Hill.’’

With maturity has come the realization that balance in life is just as important as her professional success, which has included such No. 1 hits as “It Matters to Me’’ and “Wild One.’’

“Sense of balance is a goal of mine, a goal I work to attain every day,’’ she explained. “You really have to juggle it all. You’ve got to learn when to say no, learn what your limits are and give yourself space. I don’t like being around people all the time. I mean, I love people. I love talking. I love to sit through interviews. It’s one of my favorite things about my job. I really honestly mean that. But sometimes I just don’t want to see anybody. I want to be alone. I want to read a book or I want to go out and play with my horse. Or do nothing. Wash clothes. Have a glass of sweet tea, sit and watch TV and be a vegetable. It’s called being normal, and that’s what I am. I’m a normal person who likes life’s little treasures and life’s little pleasures, but I just happen to perform for a living on a stage and travel in a 45-foot bus.’’